10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 20
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,263 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 11)

problem #218

Aug 052023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving from arquette, I to St. Ignace, I on Saturday, August 6, 2023 when I was passing a slower moving car on -28 Eastbound, when the engine stalled and had to be towed to idas Muffler Shop at 2192 US Hwy 41 W., arquette, i, 49855. Upon further evaluation it was discovered that the engine had seized and is frozen up. There is currently a recall for engine seizures, Reference Number 17V224000, and Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

- Marquette, MI, USA

problem #217

Jun 222023

Optima

  • miles
My son was driving the car on June 22nd 2023 and the car suddenly stopped in the road. Fortunately it did not result in an accident. The engine seized up and there was no advanced warning. The vehicle was towed by aaa to bryan gamble auto and diesel were it was determined that the engine had seized.

- Bessemer City, NC, USA

problem #216

Jul 112023

Optima

  • miles
Today, 7/11/23, I was traveling on the interstate with no issue. Upon exiting the interstate up a slight hill, there was one car in front of me, I let off the gas and began to roll backwards I hit the brake and didn't think anything of it at first. The car in front of me pulled forward and I took my foot off of the brake and began to roll backwards again, I hit the gas and nothing happened, during this I also heard what sounded like a clunk noise. At this point I put my flashers on and looked at the dashboard, I saw three lights that have never appeared before. (Oil light, battery light, and check engine light) I placed the car in park and sat for a moment. The car was still on but not running, I pressed my start button and the car turned over the lights went off and I drove about 3 miles down the road to a lot. Once the car cooled I checked the oil and the level was fine no smoke nothing strange. I went to pull out and drive again and the same exact thi g happened again. However, a few hours later my fiance drove it home and had no issue. If my car had rolled back I could have hit someone or been hit. It's something unknown and is dangerous. This all just happened today and it has not been taken anywhere yet.

- Durham , NC, USA

problem #215

Jun 162023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rod knock on the engine

- Stockton , CA, USA

problem #214

Jun 062023

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle has been burning oil consistently since 100,000 miles and Kia dealership denied coverage. Now I have a knock sensor code and the Dennis eakin dealership in Killeen is claiming it-??s a bad rod bearing and denying their 200k mile warranty coverage due to me not being able to provide 10 years worth of receipts even though this was a known issue.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #213

Dec 292022

Optima

  • miles
The car was last inspected/service on 11/23/22. There were no warning lights, no noises, no odors, no indication that anything was going bad or anything. Drove car over 600 miles to visit family. Upon leaving to return home, the car stalled after about 100 miles. We pulled over and restarted the car. Now it began making a noise and the engine came on then started blinking. This was around 5am on the side of the highway in pitch black with two young women traveling alone in very isolated/low population area. Long story short-the engine failed and had to be replaced (had the car towed to the nearest dealer in Rolla, MO). The engine was replaced by Kia and covered completely by Kia. This was at 78,000 miles. This is the 3rd engine for this one car. First replacement occurred just under 10,000 miles.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #212

Apr 172023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car was unable to accelerate and ultimately had a broken rod, which required total replacement of the engine. Since I am the second owner and the original owner or dealer did not request the warranty extension in 2017, KIA refuses to reimburse any amount towards the repairs.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #211

Apr 212023

Optima

  • miles
I was driving the Kia Optima 2014 down the highway. Without any warning or indication that something was wrong my tires locked up, causing the car to chirp twice and then the engine just died. I had to pay 250$ for a tow company to pick up the car and bring it home. The whole situation was very dangerous. Now I am having trouble with the Kia owner website. It will not even let me report the issue or schedule a maintenance appointment with any Kia Dealer to determine if this is due to a recall issue, or anything.

- Tigerton, WI, USA

problem #210

Apr 252023

Optima

  • miles
Since August of 2021 Ive experienced engine oil burning that results in me having to add oil every 10 days after a Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21. Ive gone into Lokey Kia in Clearwater FL numerous of times for this issue, and numerous recalls. There is no visible leak, but that had me pay for the Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 - Lokey Kia told me again today 4/24/23 that I needed the same repair done again. Over the phone the Lokey Kia service rep. told me he could not find my previous repair in the system and that I should NOT have to fix this repair this soon, but when I came in with a receipt, they stated "oh, things wear our=t faster than we think". Ive taking my car across the street to Fitzgerald Hydauni, tried to explain to them. Paid for vehicle check, completed oil change, found no visible leak, but within a week I had to go back because my car was literally almost out of oil. I called Kia claims today claim# 14751760, on hold for 2 hours and they say I have to spend several hundred dollars 3 times for a oil consumption tests before I can qualify for engine replacement because the recall for this DEFECT is not attached to my VIN, but is a KNOWN issue for the 2016. Ive sat in the waiting area and other consumers have gotten engine replaced, but for me Im brushed to the side. AAA states they've so many Kia's like mine breakdown due to this issue.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #209

Nov 012022

Optima

  • 151,111 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption with the check engine warning light constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the engine and catalytic converter were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,111.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #208

Mar 252023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2014 Kia Optima engine started seizing on 03/25/2023. I called to the Kia dealership and explained to them what my car was doing was told they could not get to my car until Monday 04/03/2023. I had my insurance tow my car to Kia on Monday 04/03/2023. The service guy called me and said he couldn't start the car due to the engine being locked to update the KSDS system, and with that being said Kia would not cover the engine. I told him I never received that KSDS recall because, I was not the previous owner who had this car. He gave me an estimate for $5422.17. He said to reach out to Kia Headquarters and talk with them to see if they would approve for the engine to be replaced. I call Kia Headquarters and spoke with a lady and explained to her what my car was doing. She then stated that she would look over the claim and she put me on hold. She then came back to the phone and said unfortunately my engine would not be covered because the previous owner they sent the letter to about recalls never responded to the recall in reference to KSDS, I was not the previous owner. She also stated they only send the recall letter out once. She also stated when you buy a used car you buy all the issues that come with it. So that was her way of saying Kia still not replacing the engine. I purchased my car on 02/01/2021 from a used car dealership. I did not know anything about a recall on the KSDS. I'm trying to understand how I can be held accountable for something the previous owner did not do. Kia needs to be held responsible for these defective engines. Thank God my son and I were not out on the highway when the engine start seizing. How can Kia get away with this is beyond me? Something needs to be done about this ASAP before somebody gets killed in one of these Kia Optimas while driving and the engine locks up. Please investigate this!!

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #207

Jan 122023

Optima

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle first to her residence and the following day to the local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #206

Jan 202023

Optima

  • miles
Last Friday(01/20/2023), I was driving my car suddenly out of nowhere my car slowed down and wouldn-??t start. It has just been 20days since I last serviced. Engine light was on and the other two lights where on as well. I towed it to Kia dealership and after diagnosing they said there has been a lot of fuel leak and issue with the starter so the car wouldn-??t turn on. I-??m not sure if this isn-??t a recall, because my car was completely fine before this incident. The dealer quoted me around $560 for the fuel tube and $890 for the starter.

- Plantation , FL, USA

problem #205

Sep 052022

Optima

  • 115,805 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption after the engine replacement. The check engine warning light was illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,805.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #204

Sep 282022

Optima

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely and smoke started coming from the vehicle with a smell of burning oil coming from the vehicle. While the vehicle was being towed, the contact saw that oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the stated that the oil drain plug was missing. The vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle had open recalls and the recalls could not be repaired because the oil drain plug needed to be replaced first. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the dealer reported the issue. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- New Ipswich, NH, USA

problem #203

Oct 302022

Optima

  • miles
driving down the highway, there was no previous warning, all the warning lights on the dashboard came on simultaneously. The car began jerking and was difficult to steer. The car began to shut down in the middle of the road before I had a chance to get off the highway. I managed to get it off the road and into a parking lot. I was unable to bring it to a complete stop even after putting it in park. It rolled up to a fence, and that is what eventually stopped the vehicle from moving. It stalled out on itself, and shut down. At that time, underneath the hood began to smoke, and smelled like something was burning. It continued for about 5 minutes. it was towed to the Kia dealership and has been there for over 10 business days. They completed the diagnostic testing, and decided it was the engine, but they're waiting for corporate to make a decision about repairing at their cost, or placing the responsibility on me. They've been trying to make a decision, and in the meantime, I am out of a car. They did not provide me with a rental car as they make a decision, so i ended up having to pay for a rental car out of my own pocket. My insurance will not pay for a rental car until we hear back from corporate about their decision. This happened one other time in 2017.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #202

Nov 082022

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving on the highway, the check engine light came on and started flashing. The vehicle simultaneously seems to lose power. We pulled over immediately and looked flashing engine light up in the owner's manual and saw it meant emergency and not to drive the car any further. Today, we are paying to tow the vehicle. After searching google, this seems to be a common issue in similar years of Optima's, yet it seems Kia is not addressing this. See blog at: https://cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t57983_ds1051588

- Liberty Twp., OH, USA

problem #201

Oct 312022

Optima

  • miles
Engine seized not even 10mins after driving it. Car now needs a new engine. I'm on disability and can't afford it and I need to go to my doctors appointments.

- Hollywood, MD, USA

problem #200

Sep 222022

Optima

  • miles
Engine speed slowed. Engine knock noticed. Engine wouldn't remain running.Took it to mechanic. Checked NHTSA website for reals and TSBs. None found. He retrieved DTC P0014 Camshaft Position B - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1). He recommended replacing the Timing Chain, Tensioners, Guides AND the Camshaft Phasers. During this process, he discovered that the crank turned only with great difficulty.

- Laytonville, CA, USA

problem #199

Oct 162022

Optima

  • miles
While driving at highway speeds approximately (70mph), engine began knocking. Knocking sound got louder when accelerating. Suspecting a rod bearing failure, I pulled over and had the car towed to Greenway Kia in Antioch, TN. I am right waiting for them to analyze the engine. The car did not have an illuminated engine light. This engine was not recalled for a knock sensor to be installed.

- Peachtree City , GA, USA

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